..续本文上一页 this way, even if others think you are silly or foolish, you will still have a clear conscience. Only by doing this, can we have some hope for inpiduals and for society.
(17) Question: I am a student from Jinling Institute of Technology. In Lord Buddha”s time, he preached the Buddhadharma to sentient beings in accordance with their mental dispositions. However, ordinary people like us do not have the privilege to meet a lama personally or to be close to a lama to study and practice the Dharma. The only thing we can do is listen to the teachings the lama has taught to the general public. In this case, how can we choose the right Dharma practice which is suitable for us personally
Answer: The most important thing is to find out in which practice you have confidence, faith, and interest. If you have strong faith in the Diamond Sutra, Lotus Sutra, or Zen, this shows you have an exceptional past connection with these, and you can then choose them as your main study and practice.
Question: Sometimes, when I try to put the lama”s teachings into practice, I feel that even though I have the motivation to do it, I am lacking energy. How do I remedy this
Answer: In the process of studying and practicing the Buddhadharma, quite often we may feel that we are lacking vitality, even if we truly want to do something from our heart. To remedy this, we should be mentally prepared in advance by knowing that studying and practicing the Dharma is not an easy task.
At the same time, we should always pray to and request the blessing of the guru and the triple gem. To have a successful Dharma practice, we actually also need certain merits. If we do not have merits, whether it is for expounding the Dharma, benefiting sentient beings, or in personal practice, various obstacles will emerge, and even cause us to give up half way. We should therefore always pray to and request the blessing of the buddhas and bodhisattvas, especially during times when obstacles occur.
In addition to that, we should also have a firm aspiration or commitment that whatever adversities or unfavorable situations we encounter, we will remain firm and committed. Only by having such a strong motivation can we counter the unfavorable situations, be protected from the maras, and block all their opportunities. Because of that, when we practice virtue, we should all make an enormous, great aspiration and commitment and uphold it with a firm and unshakable motivation. This is extremely important.
Epilogue from the Host
Many thanks for Rinpoche”s teachings out of his wisdom and compassion. I am also very pleased to see the students” enthusiasm in asking so many questions.
Today, on this evening, when causes and conditions have gathered together, we have had the privilege to listen to a topic of ancient wisdom: the “Buddhist View of the Science of Life.” Furthermore, Rinpoche also shared his personal experiences in order to enlighten us. I believe that each of us has gained some benefits, and our hearts have been moistened by the nectar of the Buddhadharma. In the longer term, this has tremendous benefit for the harmony of our body, mind, and the enhancement of our life. At the same time, this harmony of body and mind in an inpidual can then spread to a family and society. In this way, it is very beneficial for the construction of a harmonious society and world peace. Thus, let us once again thank Rinpoche with warm applause, and we look forward to Rinpoche”s next visit in the near future.
Also, thanks to the teachers and students from Nanjing University, as well as the teachers and students from other schools, and all the other attendees. Because of this wonderful gathering, this aggregation of causes and conditions, we have successfully completed an extremely meaningful evening. May I hope that such an evening is able to open the gateway to the path of the Buddhadharma, the journey of wisdom, the passage of compassion, and the road to ultimate wellbeing. Thank you.
《Question and Answer Session at Nanjing University Doctoral Forum》全文阅读结束。